Review – Dollhouse season 2

Dollhouse was always going to have a rough ride. Despite Fox messing with Firefly and cancelling the series after only eleven of the fourteen episodes aired, Joss Whedon returned to the studio. Again, Fox seemed intent on interfering with Whedon’s work which was evident in the first half of season one. For some inane reason, Fox executive’s seemed to push for a pseudo Quantum Leap TV show where we would see the main protagonist in various guises and situations, some good, some bad. Unlike the lost in time Dr Sam Beckett (played by Scott Bakula) who retained his memory and personality, Eliza Dushku’s Dollhouse “Active” Echo was a constant blank slate. With no opportunity to bond with the heroine, Dollhouse started its run as a form of glamorous prostitution, where these Actives where sold to the highest bidder and programmed to perform any function or mission required. Thankfully after these early episodes, Joss Whedon was able to start exploring the mythology he always intended, culminating with the unaired episode Epitaph One. Which brings us to Dollhouse season 2.

First of all, I think I can say that the whole world and his dog was very surprised that Fox ordered a second run of thirteen episodes. Fox’s president of entertainment stated that “if we’d cancelled Joss’s show I’d probably have 110 million e-mails this morning from the fans”. Fox’s other sci-fi show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles wasn’t so lucky.

Regardless of seemingly returning to the same formula as the first season, Dollhouse season 2 had given us a taste of things to come. With the first few episodes showing Echo remembering her previous engagements and skills I was finally able to connect with the character. Rather than hoping that Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) would save Echo’s original personality Caroline Farrell, I didn’t want the evolving multilayered multiple personality to be wiped clean.

Season two delved deeper into the characters’ story. We found out about Caroline’s connection to the Rossum Corporation. We see a consequence of her actions against them, in the form of Bennett Halverson (Summer Glau). Halverson also provides light relief when Topher Brink (Fran Kranz) and her find themselves attracted to each other. Ballard and Echo’s , and Sierra (Dichen Lachman) and Victor’s (Enver Gjokaj) relationships grow, while Adelle DeWitt, played brilliantly by Olivia Williams, shows her lonely, vulnerable side. Not withstanding DeWitt also becomes increasingly cynicial, unhinged and downright tyrannical.

When the fifth episode, The Public Eye aired, we started to see how manipulative and evil the Rossum Corporation really was. In fact, the intrigue and the relationships between the different Dollhouses alongside the Rossum Corporation was a much stronger storyline than Echo’s development. Also the offering of “full body upgrades” into Actives with the prospect of immortality for hundreds of millions, added to insidious nature of the Rossum Corporation. If that wasn’t bad enough, add to that Topher’s remote wipe technology and the future for the employees and Actives of the LA Dollhouse, and indeed the world became very bleak.

With viewing figures remaining low in the US, it was inevitable that Fox was going to cancel Dollhouse. It was however good to see a show that was given an opportunity to end properly, albeit crammed into the final few episodes. Joss Whedon’s tale of science gone bad and mind control almost feels like a warning and it’s a shame Dollhouse ended when it did. Even flawed as it was, there were some rather brilliant pieces in that tale.

Dollhouse season 2 is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
Legendary Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly) reunites with fellow Buffy alumna Eliza Dushku for the thrilling finale of the sexy sci-fi drama, Dollhouse. Dollhouse Season 2 and the Complete Collection are available to own on Blu-ray & DVD from 11 October 2010 courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

In Season 2 of Dollhouse, ex-FBI agent Paul Ballard is desperate to free missing girl Caroline from the clutches of the Dollhouse; a secret organisation that preys on vulnerable men and women, and ‘buys’ their bodies for a period of three years. During this time their minds are wiped blank by the resident programming expert and they are imprinted with an infinite number of different personas; one to suit every new elite client that visits the ‘house’….

After coming too close to uncovering the truth in Season 1, however, Ballard has been convinced (or coerced?) to work inside the house, and has become Caroline (Eliza Dushku, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tru Calling) – codename Echo’s – ‘handler’ and guardian. He soon realises that Echo’s mind has not been wiped as cleanly as everyone thinks, and as she starts to remember the truth, they work together to uncover the real reason for the Dollhouse’s power and influence…

Other cast favourites returning for the electrifying season finale include Olivia Williams (Broken Lines, The Sixth Sense), Dichen Lachman (Neighbours) and Harry Lennix (State of Play, The Matrix Reloaded).

Unlock the secrets of the Dollhouse with the highly anticipated season finale and Complete Collection of this captivating series from cult creator Joss Whedon. Go deeper behind the scenes with exclusive bonus features and unseen footage – only available on Blu-ray & DVD from 11 October.

Dollhouse Season 2 Special Features: